6.1 Vectors and scalars Flashcards
What is displacement
Distance in a given direction
What is displacement an example of
A vector
What is a vector
Any physical quantity that has a direction as well as a magnitude
What is a scalar
Any physical quantity that is not idrectional
Examples of scalars
Mass
Density
Volume
Energy
Examples of vectors
Velocity
Acceleration
Force
What can a vector be represented as
An arrow
The length represents the magnitude
The direction gives the direction
What is velocity
Speed in a given direction
What are force and acceleration
Both vector quantities and therefore can each be represented by an arrow
Any two vectors of the same type can be…
… added together using a scale diagram
How can you find the resultant force
Using a scale diagram
In general, if the two perpendicular forces are F1 and F2, then:
The magnitude of the resultant F=(F1^2+F2^2)^1/2
The angle θ between the resultant and F1 is given by tanθ=F2/F1
The resultant of two vectors that act along the same line has a magnitude that is…
…the sum, if the two vectors are in the same direction.
The difference if the two vectors are in opposite directions
A force F can be resolved into two perpendicular coponents
Fcos θ parallel to a line at angle θ to the line of action of the force
Fsin θ perpendicular to the line
